How to Run Diagnostics on Mac

This wikiHow teaches you how to run a diagnostics test on a Mac computer. All modern Mac computers can access the Apple diagnostic tool which can be used to diagnose problems with your Mac's hardware. This can help pinpoint any issues you may be experiencing with your computer.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Macs from 2013 and Later

  1. Image titled Run Diagnostics on Mac Step 1
    1
    Unplug external connections. If you have anything non-essential plugged into your Mac (such as USB flash drives), unplug them before you begin the test.
  2. Image titled Run Diagnostics on Mac Step 2
    2
    Restart your Mac. You can only access Apple Diagnostics as your computer is starting up.
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  3. Image titled Run Diagnostics on Mac Step 3
    3
    Press and hold D before the screen displays anything. If your Mac still plays the startup chime, press and hold D before the chime plays.
    • You may need to disable your firmware password to start Apple Diagnostics.
    • If Apple Diagnostics doesn't start, reboot the computer and press ⌥ Option+D. The machine will try to start the diagnostics test online. Select your network connection, enter the password (if needed), and press the checkmark.
  4. Image titled Run Diagnostics on Mac Step 4
    4
    Click on your language. Once you've selected your language, the diagnostics scan will start.
  5. Image titled Run Diagnostics on Mac Step 5
    5
    Allow the diagnostics scan to take place. This may take several minutes, and your computer may run loudly and seemingly erratically. This is normal - it's testing the hardware to make sure it works.
    EXPERT TIP

    Typically, you don't need to run your diagnostics unless you're having some kind of problem like slow performance or connectivity issues.

    Chiara Corsaro

    Chiara Corsaro

    Computer Specialist
    Chiara Corsaro is the General Manager and Apple Certified Mac & iOS Technician for macVolks, Inc., an Apple Authorized Service Provider located in the San Francisco Bay Area. macVolks, Inc. was founded in 1990, is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating, and is part of the Apple Consultants Network (ACN).
    Chiara Corsaro
    Chiara Corsaro
    Computer Specialist
  6. Image titled Run Diagnostics on Mac Step 6
    6
    Take note of the results. If Apple Diagnostics finds any abnormalities on your Mac, it will list a summary of the problem(s) and include a reference code under each listed result. From here, you can write down the reference code(s) for use when getting it repaired.
    • Some errors have multiple reference codes, so write down the reference code rather than just the problem summary.[1]
    • If there are any hardware faults listed, schedule an appointment with Apple to get your computer repaired.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Macs from 2013 and Earlier

  1. Image titled Run Diagnostics on Mac Step 7
    1
    Unplug external connections. If you have anything non-essential plugged into your Mac (such as USB flash drives), unplug them before you begin the test.
  2. Image titled Run Diagnostics on Mac Step 8
    2
    Insert the OS installation disc, if necessary. If the Mac still has a disc drive and is still running Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6) or below, insert the OS installation disc into your computer to ensure Apple Hardware Test can boot.
    • If you have a Mac without a CD drive, like a MacBook Air, insert the Software Reinstall USB drive into one of the computer's USB ports.
    • This is not necessary if you're running OS X Lion or later. If your computer was released after July 2011 or you've updated your OS since then, it will either retrieve the Hardware Test from the hard disk or will download it from the internet.
  3. Image titled Run Diagnostics on Mac Step 9
    3
    Restart your Mac. You can only access the Apple Hardware Test as your computer is starting up.
  4. Image titled Run Diagnostics on Mac Step 10
    4
    Press and hold D before the screen displays anything. If your Mac still plays the startup chime, press and hold D before the startup chime plays.
    • If Apple Hardware Test doesn't start and your computer was released in 2011 or later, reboot the computer and press ⌥ Option+D to start the hardware test over the internet. Select your network connection, enter the password (if needed), and press the checkmark.
  5. Image titled Run Diagnostics on Mac Step 11
    5
    Select your language. Click on → or press → on your keyboard.
  6. Image titled Run Diagnostics on Mac Step 12
    6
    Wait for the Apple Hardware Test window to come up. The Hardware Test will do a quick "probe" of the machine before it does any testing; let it complete the probe.
  7. Image titled Run Diagnostics on Mac Step 13
    7
    Click Test, press T, or hit ↵ Enter to start the hardware test. The test may take an hour or more, and your computer may run loudly and seemingly erratically. This is normal - it's testing the hardware to make sure it works.
    • If you want the computer to check everything, check the box next to Perform extended testing (but be aware this will significantly increase the time it takes for the scan to complete).
  8. Image titled Run Diagnostics on Mac Step 14
    8
    Take note of the results. If Apple Hardware Test finds any abnormalities on your Mac, it will let you know it found an error and will list the technical code of the problem in the box in the lower right. From here, you can write down the code for use when getting your computer repaired.
    • Unlike with Apple Diagnostics, you will not get a specific reference code; it will just be technical jargon.
    • If there are any hardware faults listed, schedule an appointment with Apple to get your computer repaired.
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References

  1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203747
  2. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202731 (Apple Diagnostics)
  3. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201257 (Apple Hardware Test)

About This Article

Chiara Corsaro
Co-authored by:
Chiara Corsaro
Computer Specialist
This article was co-authored by Chiara Corsaro and by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls. Chiara Corsaro is the General Manager and Apple Certified Mac & iOS Technician for macVolks, Inc., an Apple Authorized Service Provider located in the San Francisco Bay Area. macVolks, Inc. was founded in 1990, is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating, and is part of the Apple Consultants Network (ACN). This article has been viewed 51,441 times.
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Co-authors: 8
Updated: July 28, 2022
Views: 51,441
Categories: Mac
Article SummaryX

1. Restart your Mac.
2. Hold the D key while restarting.
3. Connect to a Wi-Fi network, if prompted.
4. Select a language.
5. Click on the arrow.
6. Click Test.

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